A 90-year-old is to perform a Christmas song he penned half a century ago.

John Stanley Bishop, of Chingford Lane, wrote The Legend of the Christmas Rose in 1962 after being inspired by a message in a Christmas card.

He was forced to give up music and his role as leader of the Boys’ Brigade choir to look after his wife Christine, who suffered from Alzheimer’s.

Following her death three years ago, the song was stored away when Mr Bishop moved into sheltered accommodation.

But it was recently found by his family and Mr Bishop, accompanied by his son, Nick, has been rehearsing for a performance of the piece with the Sing Sing Sing choir.

Mr Bishop jnr, said he can see his father “choke up” during rehearsals.

He said: “My father has had a tough old life.

“He has had to give up so many things and I don’t know how much longer he will be around.

“I’m not sure how I am going to cope when I sing it with him.

“I will sit down with him and turn the pages for him as he can’t stand up for very long anymore.

“At 90 you think life has passed you by, that you have missed the boat, but for this piece of music to be uncovered I think it’s given him a new lease of life. That spark has returned in his eye.”

The piece will be performed on December 17 at All Saints Woodford Wells Church in Imnams row, Woodford Green.